Ebola: FG bans movement of dead bodies

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Al-Hassan, on Saturday in Kano declared that the Federal Government has banned movement of dead bodies from within and outside the country as part of measures to avoid the spread of the Ebola Virus.

Al-Hassan, who was in Kano during the third meeting of Northern Traditional Leaders on Primary Health-Care, said that transfer of dead bodies is a major factor in the spread of the deadly virus.

He also insisted that the Ebola virus has not been found anywhere in Nigeria except Lagos.

The minister explained that anybody that died should be buried wherever the incident happened, especially in the person died in the three major Ebola countries—Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

He said, “Henceforth, dead bodies would not be allowed to be transferred from one part of the country to another. Wherever a person died that person would be buried there. We have suspended bringing corpses from outside the country, particularly these three countries – Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Guinea.

“The corpses in these three countries should be buried there and we will not allow anybody to come regardless of his position. We have directed the appropriate authorities to ensure that this is not done. Therefore, we want to appeal to people for their understanding. We are not here to politicize. Ebola is not a political disease.”

He continued: “Sadly, an American-Liberian brought it into our country. This is very sad, but it is too late now, it has happened. We just have to rise up to the occasion. I will like to assure the entire public that the Federal Government is up and doing. The situation is under control.

“We have instituted measures to ensure that it does not spread any further. We are working tirelessly with our partners—WHO, USAID and other international organs. We are doing the best with our international partners to contend the outbreak and we want to dispel rumours that are going round that Ebola is seen in other parts of the country. “